The well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman recently accepted questions from fans on Apple's product roadmap on Periscope. Gurman's sources are usually very reliable, and the reporter is known for breaking news about Apple's products.
Unsurprisingly, many viewers asked Gurman about the so-called "iPhone 12", the lineup of next-generation 5G smartphones that Apple will release this fall.
Apple is expected to provide three different sizes of iPhones this year, a total of four iPhones. A 5.4-inch iPhone, a 6.7-inch iPhone and two 6.1-inch iPhones.
One 6.1-inch iPhone and 6.7-inch iPhone will be higher-end iPhones, while the other 6.1-inch iPhone and 5.4-inch iPhones will be lower-end models and the successor to the iPhone 11.
Gurman believes that Apple will add LiDAR cameras to the two higher-end iPhone 12 models, similar to the cameras on its latest iPad Pro models.
He also does not rule out the possibility that the faster 120Hz Pro Motion display is unique to these two devices. Apple has used variable refresh rate technology in the iPad Pro, but they still use LCD panels instead of OLEDs.
Gurman reiterated the report that this year ’s flagship lineup uses similar designs of the iPad Pro. He said that this year’s flagship lineup will use flat stainless steel bezels and flat screens. He also emphasized that the iPhone 12 will use a smaller notch.
In order to achieve a more compact package, Gurman said that Apple will move the ambient light of the TrueDepth camera and the proximity sensor into the groove together, and build the speaker directly in the frame.
The following are other main content related to Apple in Gurman's half-hour live broadcast:
Apple plans to conduct a "substantial" iMac update this year, and may be redesigned.
Gurman said that the rumor of the 23-inch iMac sounds very reasonable.
The upcoming 14-inch MacBook Pro will follow Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro design changes, such as increasing the screen size and scissors keyboard.
Gurman said that after the lack of sales, Apple has a dedicated team to "rescue HomePod". To this end, the rumored smaller and cheaper HomePod will be launched this year, and Siri will also be significantly improved.
The new Apple TV is coming this year, but it is unlikely to be 8K.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro update is expected to be around October-November.
Apple is still developing a viable AirPower device.
Apple Watch Series 6 will be launched later this year, supporting sleep tracking.
AirTags is expected to be launched as a high-end product later this year and may use a leather case.
Modular high-end over-ear Apple headphones are still expected to be launched this fall.
Apple's R&D department is still focused on self-driving technology.
Under-screen fingerprint technology will not appear on the iPhone this year.
Gurman doesn't think the rumors about Xcode for iOS are true (the source of the rumor, leaker Jon Prosser later reiterated that he is very confident in this statement).
When asked what Apple was most excited about, Gurman mentioned the augmented reality headset the company is developing.
